Dishwasher

Abstract

A dishwasher includes: a tub that defines a washing compartment; a rack disposed in the washing compartment; a spray arm disposed below the rack and configured to be rotatable, the spray arm including a nozzle configured to spray wash water toward the rack; a connector disposed at the spray arm and having one open surface; a cap configured to cover the one open surface of the connector and coupled to the connector; a magnet disposed in a space defined by the connector and the cap; a gasket disposed between the connector and the cap; and a sensor configured to detect a magnetic force of the magnet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dishwasher comprising:
 a tub that defines a washing compartment;   a door configured to open and close the washing compartment;   a rack disposed in the washing compartment;   a spray arm configured to rotate in the washing compartment, the spray arm comprising a nozzle configured to spray wash water toward the rack;   a connector disposed at the spray arm, the connector having an opening;   a cap configured to couple to the connector and to cover the opening of the connector;   a magnet disposed between the connector and the cap;   a sensor disposed at the tub or the door and configured to detect magnetic force of the magnet; and   a gasket disposed between the connector and the cap.   
     
     
         2 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the cap comprises:
 a bottom wall configured to cover the opening of the connector; and   a lateral wall that protrudes from the bottom wall and defines a magnet accommodating space that accommodates the magnet, the lateral wall being configured to be inserted to an inside of the connector, and   wherein the gasket is disposed between the lateral wall and the connector.   
     
     
         3 . The dishwasher of  claim 2 , wherein the connector comprises a stopper that protrudes from an inner surface of the connector, the stopper being spaced apart from the bottom wall of the cap, and
 wherein the gasket is disposed between the stopper and the bottom wall of the cap.   
     
     
         4 . The dishwasher of  claim 2 , wherein the bottom wall of the cap comprises:
 an inner bottom portion that is disposed laterally inside the lateral wall and defines a bottom of the magnet accommodating space surrounded by the lateral wall; and   an outer bottom portion disposed laterally outside the lateral wall,   wherein the cap further comprises a rim that protrudes from the outer bottom portion, and   wherein the connector is inserted between the lateral wall and the rim.   
     
     
         5 . The dishwasher of  claim 4 , wherein the connector comprises a protruding portion that protrudes from an outer surface of the connector, and
 wherein the cap further comprises:
 an extended portion recessed outward from an inner surface of the rim, the extended portion defining a groove configured to receive the protruding portion of the connector; and 
 a coupling portion that protrudes from the extended portion and is configured to engage with the protruding portion of the connector. 
   
     
     
         6 . The dishwasher of  claim 5 , wherein the cap defines a through-hole that passes through the bottom wall, the through-hole being defined at a position corresponding to the coupling portion. 
     
     
         7 . The dishwasher of  claim 2 , wherein the cap further comprises a rib that protrudes from an inner surface of the lateral wall of the cap and is configured to be in contact with the magnet. 
     
     
         8 . The dishwasher of  claim 2 , wherein the connector protrudes downward relative to the spray arm, the connector having an open lower surface that defines the opening,
 wherein the cap is configured to cover the open lower surface of the connector, and   wherein the magnet is disposed below the spray arm.   
     
     
         9 . The dishwasher of  claim 8 , wherein the nozzle protrudes from an upper surface of the spray arm, and
 wherein the magnet is disposed vertically below the nozzle.   
     
     
         10 . The dishwasher of  claim 8 , wherein the spray arm further comprises a downward-facing nozzle that protrudes from a lower surface of the spray arm, and
 wherein the connector is positioned farther from a center of rotation of the spray arm than the downward-facing nozzle.   
     
     
         11 . The dishwasher of  claim 8 , wherein a vertical height of the magnet is greater than a horizontal width of the magnet. 
     
     
         12 . The dishwasher of  claim 11 , wherein an upper end of the sensor is positioned upward relative to the magnet, and
 wherein poles of the magnet are oriented in an up-down direction.   
     
     
         13 . The dishwasher of  claim 12 , further comprising an iron plate disposed in the magnet accommodating space, the iron plate being disposed below the magnet. 
     
     
         14 . The dishwasher of  claim 13 , further comprising a silver foil disposed in the magnet accommodating space, the silver foil being disposed below the iron plate. 
     
     
         15 . A dishwasher comprising:
 a tub that defines a washing compartment;   a pump configured to supply wash water;   a first rack disposed in the washing compartment;   a first spray arm deposed below the first rack, the first spray arm comprising a first nozzle configured to spray the wash water toward the first rack;   a second rack disposed in the washing compartment and positioned below the first rack;   a second spray arm disposed below the second rack and above the first rack, the second spray arm comprising a second nozzle configured to spray the wash water toward the second rack;   a connector that protrudes downward from the second spray arm, the connector having an open lower surface;   a cap configured to cover the open lower surface;   a magnet disposed in an accommodating space that is defined by the connector and the cap; and   a sensor configured to detect magnetic force of the magnet,   wherein a vertical height of the magnet is greater than a horizontal width of the magnet.   
     
     
         16 . The dishwasher of  claim 15 , wherein the sensor has an upper end positioned upward relative to the magnet, and
 wherein poles of the magnet are oriented in an up-down direction.   
     
     
         17 . The dishwasher of  claim 16 , further comprising an iron plate disposed in the accommodating space and disposed below the magnet. 
     
     
         18 . The dishwasher of  claim 17 , further comprising a silver foil disposed in the accommodating space, the silver foil being disposed below the iron plate. 
     
     
         19 . The dishwasher of  claim 15 , further comprising a gasket disposed between the connector and the cap. 
     
     
         20 . The dishwasher of  claim 19 , wherein the cap comprises:
 a bottom wall configured to cover the open lower surface of the connector; and   a lateral wall that protrudes from the bottom wall and defines the accommodating space, the lateral wall being configured to be inserted to an inside of the connector, and   wherein the gasket is disposed laterally between the lateral wall and the connector in a direction parallel to the bottom wall.